Student Programs

Academically Talented Youth Program (ATYP)

ATYP is an highly accelerated Math or Language Arts program designed for students who need to learn at greater depth, complexity and at a much faster pace than the sending school is able to provide. Open to public, non-public, charter and home school students usually in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade who meet the criteria.

Close Up

High school students can make a once in a lifetime trip to washington, D.C. to see government in action through the Close Up program. Scholarships available.

Explorer Program

The Explorer Program is an after school job shadow program offered 4 times per school year. Explorers is designed to give students the opportunity to observe a professional mentor in the field of their choice. Students may choose one or all Wednesday afternoon sessions, 3:30-5:00 pm. The goal of the program is to help students better understand the skills and aptitudes required for success, the academic training needed, and the different working environments available in the field of their choosing. Currently, we are accepting applications for students interested in Engineering, Construction, Advanced Manufacturing, Information Technology and Health Sciences.

Groundhog Shadow Day

February 2nd isn't just about Punxsutawney Phil anymore. As part of a national movement in career exploration, hundreds of high school students experience a "day in the life of..." during job shadows with local organizations. Get details and sign up for Groundhog Shadow Day!

Health Career Internship

Kent County high school seniors are invited to explore a wide variety of health careers by observing health professionals while they work. This after school job shadow experience takes place at local hospitals, private offices and freestanding clinic settings.

Students may apply for either the Fall session or the Winter/Spring session. The Health Career Internship is typically two afternoons per week for 2 1/2 to 3 hours per afternoon. Weekend and evening placements may be available upon request. The Fall application deadline is May 1 by 5:00 PM, and the Winter/Spring deadline is December 1 by 5:00 PM.

Kent Career Tech Center

Get ready to experience an entirely different way of learning. Kent Career Tech Center takes project-based learning to a whole new level. By integrating the learning environment with real-world applications, we arm students with knowledge and experience they can apply directly to college and career.

Kent Innovation High

Innovation High is a very different high school with a focus on project-based learning and collaboration with students and teachers and the community. This school demonstrates some of the best thinking in the country about teaching and learning. Innovation High also serves as a learning "lab" for teachers and administrators who want to innovate in their own schools.

Kent Transition Center

Kent Transition Center is a unique high school program offering hands-on learning and career exploration. The program helps at-risk students or those with special needs learn what it means to be successful employees and gain valuable skills they can use at work and in life.

MySchool@Kent

MySchool@Kent combines interesting, online learning, with the best part of school - the caring relationships. In addition to online studies, students experience just-in-time learning and tutoring in our learning labs, in a comfortable, café-style environment.

Project NorthStar

The Project NorthStar program is funded through a grant from Michigan Works! to provide support to students who come from families that are struggling financially and who meet one of several criteria which indicate they are "at risk" for successfully completing high school.

Students in grades 4-8, from schools in Allegan, Barry, Kent, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Ottawa counties compete in school, then regional spelling bees culminating in The Greater Grand Rapids Spelling Bee on March 10, 2015. The winner of The Greater Grand Rapids Bee goes on to compete at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

Student Interfaith Leadership Council

Students in grades 9-11 participate in activities organized in the community, as well as special training and other events. This includes regular monthly meetings, participation in Face to Faith program, and visits to area world religion congregations. The goal is for students to lead interfaith understanding initiatives in their home school districts. https://www.facebook.com/StudentInterfaith

SuccessLink

SuccessLink is online education, but better. Local and community-based (right here in Kent ISD), SuccessLink features online learning with real teachers, with courses that meet Michigan standards. Students experience just-in-time learning, tutoring, and the support they need to overcome barriers to learning.

Talk & Tour Career Series

Our newest career exploration program gives students and their families a chance to learn about in-demand careers in a variety of industries during tours and panel presentations hosted at of local businesses. Topics include careers in Health Sciences, Information Technology, Engineering and more. The full schedule is listed here .

Teen Leadership Team for Healthy, Safe, Drug-Free Living

Teens from all over the county work together to develop an outreach initiative to reduce alcohol and other drug use, network with public policy makers for policy change, and engage with community leaders to make a difference in Kent County.

We the People

High school students in AP Government classes, which use the We the People materials, compete on their knowledge of the Constitution. The 2nd and 3rd Congressional Districts competion is in November followed by State competition in Lansing in January. Winner of the State competition represents Michigan at the national competition in late April.